Mei R Fu1, Yang Kang. 1. New York University, College of Nursing, New York, NY, USA. mf67@nyu.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To summarize the evidence of and identify factors influencing the psychosocial impact of lymphedema, as well as to discuss nursing strategies. DATA SOURCES: Peer-reviewed publications from 2004 to 2011 in 11 major medical indices. CONCLUSION: Poorer overall health-related quality of life was reported among cancer survivors with lymphedema. The consistent, detailed, and vivid descriptions from the qualitative studies suggest that cancer-related lymphedema exerts tremendous negative psychosocial impact, which quantitative studies failed to capture. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nursing strategies include helping patients to build a routine for daily care, setting goals, exercise, positive self-talk, providing helpful resources, and organizing support groups. Professional organizations should devote resources to public education through television advertisement, public meetings, and online education.
OBJECTIVES: To summarize the evidence of and identify factors influencing the psychosocial impact of lymphedema, as well as to discuss nursing strategies. DATA SOURCES: Peer-reviewed publications from 2004 to 2011 in 11 major medical indices. CONCLUSION: Poorer overall health-related quality of life was reported among cancer survivors with lymphedema. The consistent, detailed, and vivid descriptions from the qualitative studies suggest that cancer-related lymphedema exerts tremendous negative psychosocial impact, which quantitative studies failed to capture. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nursing strategies include helping patients to build a routine for daily care, setting goals, exercise, positive self-talk, providing helpful resources, and organizing support groups. Professional organizations should devote resources to public education through television advertisement, public meetings, and online education.
Authors: M R Fu; C M Cleland; A A Guth; M Kayal; J Haber; F Cartwright; R Kleinman; Y Kang; J Scagliola; D Axelrod Journal: Lymphology Date: 2013-06 Impact factor: 1.286
Authors: Rachel Lentz; Christina Shin; Zoe Bloom; Kimiko Yamada; Young-Kwon Hong; Alex K Wong; Ketan Patel Journal: Lymphat Res Biol Date: 2021-02-05 Impact factor: 2.589
Authors: Mei R Fu; Deborah Axelrod; Charles M Cleland; Zeyuan Qiu; Amber A Guth; Robin Kleinman; Joan Scagliola; Judith Haber Journal: Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press) Date: 2015-10-15